Teachable moment: HISD sets up voter registration on high school campuses

From HOUSTON ISD

Published 2:47 am, Friday, April 20, 2012

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Teachable moment: HISD sets up voter registration on high school campuses

Teachable moment: HISD sets up voter registration on high school campuses

Teachable moment: HISD sets up voter registration on high school campuses

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The Houston Independent School District launched a campus-based voter registration drive Thursday as part of an effort to teach students the importance of participating in the democratic process.

All HISD high school principals have been deputized to register eligible voters. In addition, an official from the Harris County Tax Assessor’s Office trained all HISD high school principals on the proper protocol to follow when collecting voter registration cards on campus.

HISD social studies teachers have been emphasizing the importance of civic participation through voting and other means in class.

“The importance of voter registration is a key component in the U.S. government course offered to all high school seniors,” said Angela Miller, HISD curriculum manager. “Students learn about the rights and responsibilities of participatory citizenship in our democratic republic.”

There are almost 19,000 high school students between 17 and 18 years of age who are or will be eligible to vote soon. All HISD high schools will have voter registration cards available on campus to encourage all eligible students to register to vote. Parents and members of the community can also register to vote at their nearby high school during regular school hours.

To be eligible to vote, individuals must be a U.S. citizen and be 18 years old by election day.